Flu Vaccinations

Influenza (the flu) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get the flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. 

*https://www.cdc.gov

Who needs one and do I need to pay?

Under the Flu Vaccination Program, the flu vaccine is offered free of charge to people who are most at risk of developing serious complications from the flu. This includes:

• Children from 6 months to 17 years old who have certain chronic diseases
• Pregnant women, in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of their pregnancy
• People aged 75 and over.
• Healthy children from 6 to 23 months old
• Healthy people from 60 to 74 years old
• People with chronic diseases, including:
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Asthma
  • Diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorders
  • Liver problems, including cirrhosis
  • Kidney problems
  • Blood disorders, including hemoglobinopathy
  • Cancer
  • Immunodeficiencies, including HIV infection
  • Immunosuppression caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and anti-rejection drugs (transplant)
  • Cognitive disorder
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Convulsive disorder
  • Neuromuscular disorders
• It is also free for people who are in contact with with at-risk people, such as:
  • Family members who live in the same household of a child under 6 months of age or a person at higher risk of being hospitalized and to their caregivers
  • Health care workers

Where do I get a flu shot?

If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, you can contact your CISSS or CIUSSS. The following are the ones on the Island of Montreal:

CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal 

CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal

CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal

CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal

CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal

South-West residents can also get the flu shot at Clinique communautaire Pointe-Saint-Charles: Clinique communautaire Pointe-Saint-Charles

If you are not eligible for the free flu shot, you can still get vaccinated. Since the fee may vary, contact the vaccination clinic of your choice (CLSC, medical clinic, or pharmacy) to find out how much it will cost. Many pharmacies offer flu vaccination at a small cost and appointments can be made either by phone or online. For example, you can contact your local Pharmaprix, Jean Coutu, Brunet, Uniprix, or Proxim.